Khalid: Frugality not a threat to me

PETALING JAYA: Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, who is facing criticisms on his frugal style of government spending, said he will continue to watch the pennies despite talks about dissatisfaction over his leadership.

Abdul Khalid said the state government’s fiscal prudence in the past five years has been well reflected in the state’s significant economic achievements, despite unfavourable external conditions.

“(The prudent approach) is the success of Selangor. In any organisation and established institution, prudence as well as discipline (financial management) is part and parcel of the success factor,” he said in Shah Alam yesterday.

Khal id, a second-term MB of the state, was recently taken to task by several MPs in his own party including PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, on the management of the state’s wealth, estimated to be about RM3 billion in cash.

In a forum in Petaling Jaya, Anwar, who is also the Opposition Leader, said Abdul Khalid’s administration has failed to uphold the aspirations of the people, despite its hefty cash pile.

Abdul Khalid rubbished reports that PKR deputy president Azmin Ali is all set to replace him as MB — a report which made headlines in several dailies, following a series of critical remarks about Abdul Khalid’s financial management which had been described as “stingy”.

Abdul Khalid said he has cordial relations with Azmin despite reports that Azmin had been one of his most vocal critics.

“We meet almost every week. Even today, we will be meeting. But nothing is on the agenda for a change of MB.

“This meeting, we would be discussing several key issues pertaining to the Selangor backbenchers club and the state’s 2014 budget,” he stressed.